Whatever he might have said against Sir Tancred's manner of life, he
had a genuine respect for his qualities; and he had learned from
Dorothy something of the causes of his falling into that manner of
life. He had a strong belief that once married to her he would change;
he thought it likely that he might even embark on the career of
politics, which he understood to be, in England, a quite respectable
pursuit. He was aware, of course, that he could easily buy her an
English peer or a foreign Prince for husband. But Sir Tancred's rank
and birth satisfied his simple tastes; and he was quite sure that he
might ransack the English peerage and the Courts of Europe without
finding her as good a husband. He did not perceive that his millions
barred Sir Tancred's path.
Dorothy perceived it only too soon. She found the growth of her
intimacy with Sir Tancred checked; it did not lessen, indeed, but it
did not increase. A shadow had fallen across it, and he no longer
talked to her in the tone of half-affectionate familiarity he had grown
to use with her, he was more reserved. She chafed at it, but she was
not greatly downcast; she only wished that the kidnappers had had the
grace to leave her in her part of the penniless governess, a few weeks
longer.
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